Galloway Cricket Club lose by 97 runs to Motherwell

Motherwell backed up strong batting with a clinical performance in the field, earning them victory by 97 runs at Gatehouse on Saturday.

Yet again a series of dropped catches proved costly for Galloway. Despite the early loss of Narayanasamy, run out by a good throw from Anup Domanic, Motherwell relished being invited to bat first on a good looking pitch and immaculate outfield.

Chinnasamy struck over 50 in boundaries and added 77 for the second wicket with Selveraj, who was lbw to Domanic for 33.

The Motherwell top scorer was missed early on at fine leg, but this was compounded when further chances were spurned at gully, long off, long on and deep mid wicket, allowing Palanisamy (33) and Silvapicha (27) to build another 50 partnership after they had slumped to 146-6.

Galloway regained some control when Sufyan Afzal was introduced to the attack, trapping Chinnasamy lbw with his first ball, having Thomas caught by Domanic later in the over and hitting the stumps twice in his excellent eight-over spell. Stevie Carr had skipper Pichaimuthu held by Pat Druce at long off.

Druce returned to take two deserved wickets, both low catches well held by keeper Phil McMenemy, and Ross Lamb ended the innings when Alex McMenemy pouched a catch lofted to mid on.

Both Galloway openers escaped dismissal off the same delivery from Sajeev when Lamb holed out at mid on and Carr was run out in the confusion, after a no ball was called on height. Curiously both went on to be legitimately dismissed the same way soon afterwards, off the same bowler.

Akhil Somarajan hit two cracking boundaries but was bowled for 11, and after that only Anup Domanic reached double figures. He batted sensibly, patiently waiting for scoring